pariah

[puh-rahy-uh]

noun

1. an outcast.

2. any person or animal that is generally despised or avoided.

3. none Pariah a member of a low caste in southern India and Myanmar (Burma).

pariah

/ ˈpærɪə, pəˈraɪə /

noun

1. a social outcast

2. (formerly) a member of a low caste in South India

pariah

1. An outcast; a member of a low caste or class.

The word originally stems from the caste system of India, which put pariahs in a very low place in society. In the United States, it refers to those of low social class or social status.

Other Word Forms

• pariahdom noun
• pariahism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pariah¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Tamil paṟaiyar, plural of paṟaiyan literally, “drummer” (from a hereditary duty of the caste), derivative of paṟai “festival drum”

Word History and Origins

Origin of pariah¹

C17: from Tamil paraiyan drummer, from parai drum; so called because members of the caste were the drummers at festivals

Example Sentences

Russia and North Korea are pariahs in the eyes of the western world.

From BBC

In a short six months Putin went from being a pariah in the eyes of the West to being welcomed on US soil like a partner and friend.

From BBC

The decision to install a USSR-backed government in Kabul turned the Soviets into an international pariah, and they eventually withdrew from Afghanistan in February 1989.

From BBC

The silencing of critics and the failure to hold elections, earned him and his country pariah status.

From BBC

One mushroom expert refused to comment on the issue over concerns of becoming a “pariah.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• leper 
• outsider 
• persona non grata 
• vagabond 

When To Use

What does pariah mean?

A pariah is an outcast or someone who’s despised and avoided.Pariah is often used to refer to a person who is widely shunned for some offense they have committed. It is often used in the phrase social pariah and in the context of politics.Example: Although the defendant was found not guilty, he was still treated like a pariah in his hometown, with formerly close friends now refusing to talk to him.